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Update for February 26  March 4, 2007

Disney Cruise Line expansion announced; two new ships to set sail in 2011, 2012

Back on February 7, Jay Rasulo told a conference of investors about the expansion of the Disney Cruise Line fleet, "We have ongoing contact with the shipyards. If we can generate superior returns based, in part, on contract terms and pricing, then we'll pull the trigger." That time is now. Last Thursday, Disney President and CEO Bob Iger announced that the company has signed a letter of intent with the Meyer Werft shipyard of Paperburg, Germany, to negotiate a contract to build two new ships for the successful cruise line.

The new 122,000-ton ships will be two decks taller than the existing 83,000-ton Disney Magic and Disney Wonder liners. The 1,250 staterooms aboard each new ship are more than 40 percent more than the 877 rooms on each current ship.

Although Disney would not reveal the cost of the ships, the Associated Press notes that Deutsche Bank analyst Doug Mitchelson estimates the cost of each ship at about $1 billion to build (twice the cost of the current ships), but also that they could bring in about $900 million per year assuming constant load factors.

With numbers like those, it would seem that adding ships would be a no-brainer. "More than 95 percent of Disney Cruise Line guests rate their cruise experience as excellent or very good," said Jay Rasulo, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, adding that "Disney Cruise Line continually sets sail with the highest load factors in the industry of nearly 150 percent."

Scheduled to launch in 2011 and 2012, the two ships are as yet unnamed. The itineraries and specific designs for each ship will be announced later, though various theories abound, including a West Coast-based ship that would cruise to Alaska in the summer and Mexico in the winter, an additional ship cruising the Caribbean most of the year and spending summers in the Mediterranean, and others. [Join the theorists on our MousePad discussion forums here.]

Wherever the new ships sail, there is bound to be a huge interest in the inaugural cruises. If you want to be on the first public sailings of either ship, don?t wait for the itinieraries to be announced. Contact your travel agent, especially one that specializes in Disney cruises, and let them know you are interested. Disney will likely use a random lottery to select passengers for the inaugural cruises, but it never hurts to express interest now.

Disney's California Food and Wine Weekends

The second Disney's California Food and Wine Weekends will be presented every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from April 27 to May 20, 2007. The event will feature complimentary seminars, fee-based special events, tastings and shopping opportunities.

The Lucky Fortune Cookery will be the site of the Taste of California marketplace, where small "tastes" will be available for purchase. Wine and event merchandise will be sold at the Festival Wine Shop at the Golden Vine Winery.

In addition to the Culinary Demonstrations and Wine, Beer and Spirits Tasting Seminars offered last year, a new series of Educational and Lifestyle Seminars will be added to the line-up of complimentary sessions. Disney has not yet released a full schedule of these seminars.

The premium fee-based events include celebrity chef dinners, winemaker dinners, cooking seminars and wine events. A complete list of these "signature" events can be found at Disney's official event Web site.

Also new this year is "Taste," an Annual Passholder-exclusive event the evening of May 12. The event is $100 per person, including taxes and gratuities, and each participant must be an annual passholder. Tickets will go on sale March 1 on the Disneyland Web site.

Grad Night Schedule

If you?re planning a trip in May or June, you might want to know when to expect to encounter a Grad Night. The events take place well after park closing and should not impact your visit. Grad nights are scheduled for:

Thursday, May 17

Thursday, May 24

Thursday, May 31

Thursday, June 7

Wednesday, June 13

Thursday, June 14

Thursday, June 21

This and that...

...Time is running out to take advantage of the 2007 Resort Dream Vacation and 2007 Good Neighbor Dream Vacation Packages. Both packages must be booked by March 10, 2007, and completed by March 15, 2007. Scroll down to the Current Discounts & Promotions section for complete details.

...Reservations are now being accepted for the Easter and Mother?s Day Brunches at the Disneyland Hotel. Alice in Wonderland Easter Basket Buffet is Sunday, April 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. Disney?s Royal Buffet for Mother?s Day is Sunday, May 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Both events are $57 for adults, $14.50 for children 3-11, and includes 4 hours of complimentary parking at the Disneyland Hotel. Premium Annual Passholders receive a 15% discount. Call the Disney Dine Line (714) 781-DINE (3463) to make your reservations.

...The Winter 2007 Annual Passholder newsletter has begun to arrive by mail to passholders homes, and includes a slew of discounts. If yours has been delayed, here are some of the special offers:

Catch Meet the Robinsons during opening weekend at the El Capitan Theatre. Passholders can purchase tickets to the 10:00 a.m. showing on Saturday, March 31 or the 12:25 p.m. showing on April 1. Tickets are $27 per person (plus a $2 per ticket service fee) and include a souvenir bucket with popcorn, bottled drink, souvenir 3-D glasses, a movie collectible keepsake and admission to an animation exhibit. Parking is not included. The theater will also be offering passholder screenings of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World?s End in May.

Passholders can receive a discount on selected Anaheim Ducks games. Go to Ticketmaster.com/disneypassholder and use the discount code "Disney"

Summer 2008

Several current promotions offer discounted admission to the Disneyland Resort. For convenience sake, we have grouped the discount offers based on the number of days the tickets are valid. Check out the category that best matches the amount of time you plan to spend at the resort, and pick the offer which works best for you. And keep those tips coming ? let us know if you find a better / different offer, so we can share it with other readers!

This first section is a list of discounts on ticket only purchases. This first section is a list of discounts on ticket only purchases. Though it has become more common in recent years, Disneyland tickets are rarely offered at deep discounts unless you are a resident of Southern California or Northern Mexico. For residents outside that area, the best discounts available tend to be simple advance purchase discounts.

This information is pulled from many sources but much thanks must go to MousePlanet sponsor MouseSavers.com for providing the bulk of the information. If you know of any additional discounts, offers, promotions, or contests that should be listed in this section, drop us a line (link).

One Day Park HopperRegularly $63/$53

Southern California 2Fer Ticket ? This ticket offers residents of zip codes 90000-93599 (and 21000-22999 in Baja California, Mexico) the opportunity to buy entry to one park on one day and to return within 30 days to visit the other park. Tickets expire after 5/26/07 and first use must be made by 4/26/07.

One Day One ParkRegularly $83/$73

Southern California 1?Day Park Hopper ? Disney is not currently offering a Southern California 1-Day Park Hopper at the Web site. Southern California AAA offices and Vons Supermarkets may be selling these tickets, but call ahead to confirm. Proof of residency will be required when redeeming them at Disneyland (Vons will happily sell you the ticket voucher regardless of where you are from but you still need to be an appropriate resident to use it. If you do see these available anywhere, email us to let us know.

Two Day Park HopperRegularly $122/$102

Southern California 2-Day Park Hopper ($83/$73) ? This ticket offers residents of zip codes 90000-93599 (and 21000-22999 in Baja California, Mexico) the two days of visits to the Disneyland Resort and on both days the ticket-holder can visit both parks. Tickets expire after 5/26/07 and first use must be made by 4/26/07.

AOCVCB 2-Day Bonus Ticket ($119/$100) ? The discount (from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau) is $3 (adult) and $2 (child) and shipping on all orders is at least $10 (link). So if you are ordering more than 10 days in advance and your discount would be less than $10, you'll still come out ahead by ordering at the Disneyland Web site.

Three Day Park HooperRegularly $179/$149

Advance Purchase 3-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($159/$129) ? A discounted price for advance purchase through the Internet or select dealers. Available at the Disneyland Web site (link) where shipping is included if you order more than 10 days prior to your travel date. Also available from AAA offices in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah (not currently listed at the AAA Web site, you may need to call your local office). Disney Stores (California), Safeway grocery stores (California and Arizona), and certain travel agents may also sell these tickets. It is best to call and confirm before visiting a location, however. "Bonus Tickets" include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). If purchased from AAA, the tickets come with free parking at the Mickey ∧ Friends parking garage (an $11/day value)

Southern California CityPass($235/$189) ? This pass includes a 3-Day Disneyland Resort park ticket (including one early-entry day). It also includes one day admissions to SeaWorld San Diego, Universal Studios Hollywood, and either the San Diego Zoo or San Diego Wild Animal Park. The CityPass expires 14 days after first use at any location. Purchase CityPass through the Disneyland Web site (link) or onsite at the ticket booths of Disneyland Resort or the other theme parks included in the pass. You can also purchase directly from the CityPass Web site (link) though this has a minimum $7.50 shipping charge (no shipping charge from the Disney Web site if purchased more than 10 days in advance).

The Southern California City Pass can also be purchased online from Costco at a cost of $209.99/$169.99 (adults/child), 5% surcharge if not a Costco member and shipping fees apply. Booklets may be available for sale in some stores but varies widely. If you want to buy in person it would be best to call ahead and confirm availability. If you do buy at a Costco, you will initially purchase a large plastic container which you must trade for ticket books prior to leaving Costco!

AOCVCB 3-Day Bonus Ticket ($155/$126) ? The discount (from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau) is $4 (adult) and $3 (child) and shipping on all orders is at least $10. So if you are ordering more than 10 days in advance and your discount would be less than $10, you'll still come out ahead by ordering at the Disneyland Web site. Tickets include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) (link).

Everybody Plays for the Kid's Price ($129/$129) ? A special off season promotional ticket direct from Disney. First day of use must be on or before April 26, 2007. If you have the tickets shipped to you (as opposed to Will Call), you'll also receive a coupon for discounts on Disneyland merchandise. "Bonus Tickets" include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) (link).

Four Day Park HopperRegularly $209/$179

Advance Purchase 4?Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($179/$149) ? A discounted price for advance purchase through the Internet or select dealers. Available at the Disneyland Web site (link) where shipping is included if you order more than 10 days prior to your travel date. Also available from AAA offices in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah (not currently listed at the AAA Web site, you may need to call your local office). Disney Stores (California), Safeway grocery stores (California and Arizona), and certain travel agents may also sell these tickets. It is best to call and confirm before visiting a location, however. "Bonus Tickets" include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). If purchased from AAA, the tickets come with free parking at the Mickey ∧ Friends parking garage (an $11/day value).

AOCVCB 4-Day Bonus Ticket ($174/$145) ? The discount (from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau) is $5 (adult) and $4 (child) and shipping on all orders is at least $10 Tickets include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) (link).

Everybody Plays for the Kid's Price ($149/$149) ? A special off season promotional ticket direct from Disney. First day of use must be on or before April 26, 2007. If you have the tickets shipped to you (as opposed to Will Call), you'll also receive a coupon for discounts on Disneyland merchandise. "Bonus Tickets" include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) (link).

Five Day Park HopperRegularly $229/$199

Advance Purchase 5?Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($189/$159) ? A discounted price for advance purchase through the Internet or select dealers. Available at the Disneyland Web site (link) where shipping is included if you order more than 10 days prior to your travel date. Also available from AAA offices in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah (not currently listed at the AAA Web site, you may need to call your local office). Disney Stores (California), Safeway grocery stores (California and Arizona), and certain travel agents may also sell these tickets. It is best to call and confirm before visiting a location, however. "Bonus Tickets" include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). If purchased from AAA, the tickets come with free parking at the Mickey ∧ Friends parking garage (an $11/day value).

AOCVCB 5-Day Bonus Ticket ($183/$154) ? The discount (from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau) is $6 (adult) and $5 (child) and shipping on all orders is $10.

Everybody Plays for the Kid's Price ($159/$159) ? A special off season promotional ticket direct from Disney. First day of use must be on or before April 26, 2007. If you have the tickets shipped to you (as opposed to Will Call), you'll also receive a coupon for discounts on Disneyland merchandise. "Bonus Tickets" include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) (link).

Travel Packages

2007 Resort Dream Vacation Package ? This official Disney travel package (link) starts at $389/per person for two adults per two-nights. The $389 price is for the Paradise Pier Hotel and goes up for Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian Hotel. In addition to the hotel room, the package includes appropriate park hopper tickets, one early admission (early admission days are currently Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays), a virtual prize for the Virtual Magic Kingdom online game, admission to Mickey's Toontown Morning Madness (currently available Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays, and Saturdays), a collectible Dream Coin, and Walt Disney Travel Company collectible pin and lanyard, luggage tag, and California Fun Book. Travel using this package must be booked by March 10, 2007, and completed by March 15, 2007.

2007 Good Neighbor Dream Vacation Package ? This official Disney travel package (link) starts at $259/per person for two adults per two-nights. The $227 price is for the Red Roof Inn Anaheim Maingate and goes up for other Good Neighbor hotels. In addition to the hotel room, the package includes appropriate park hopper tickets, one early admission (early admission days are currently Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays), a virtual prize for the Virtual Magic Kingdom online game, admission to Mickey's Toontown Morning Madness (currently available Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays, and Saturdays), collectible Dream Coin, and Walt Disney Travel Company collectible pin and lanyard, luggage tag, and California Fun Book. Travel using this package must be booked by March 10, 2007, and completed by March 15, 2007.

Costco Travel Packages ? Many different travel packages including visits to Disneyland and Disneyland hotels are available through Costco.com. When purchasing a Costco Disneyland travel package extras that will be included are: Mickey's Toontown Madness admission (currently available Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays, and Saturdays), a character breakfast per person, a $20 Disneyland Resort gift card, a collectible pin and lanyard, and a Costco luggage tag.

Annual Passholder Discounts at the Disneyland Resort Hotels ? The Annual Passholder section of the Disneyland.com Web site (click here, registration required) has details about the current AP rates for the three Disneyland Resort hotels. The offer advertises rates as low as $129 per night (plus resort fees and taxes) at the Paradise Pier hotel, and MousePlanet readers have reported rates as low as $189 per night at the Grand Californian Hotel.

The discounts are available for stays between January 28th and February 14th, and there is a limit of two rooms per Passholder. For reservations, call (714) 956-MICKEY and ask for rate plan "APD." It may pay to have a flexible schedule and a little patience - readers have reported that it may take a little time for the phone agent to locate the best discount for your stay.

Other Discounts

Disney Visa Free-Stroller Rental

? If you have a Disney Visa card you can rent up to two strollers for free at either Disneyland or Disney's California Adventure.

Rainforest Cafe Safari Club ? Membership in the Rainforest Cafe gets you a 10% discount on entrees for up to four people. It also gets you priority seating if available. Additionally, after signing up, your membership card will be mailed to you and be accompanied by a $10 award good for your next visit to a Rainforest Cafe. So if you know you will be eating there while at Disneyland and have a Rainforest Cafe local to you, it may make sense to prejoin the Safari Club so that you can use the award during your trip. See the Rainforest Cafe Web site for details (link).

ESPNZone MVP Club ? Membership in the MVP Club does not offer any discounts on food. However, once a member you can make an online reservation for your party up to three days in advance and will get a 25% increase in points purchased when playing games in the Sports Arena (and 40 bonus points at activation). You must register online and your membership card will then be mailed to you within 2-weeks. The card must then be activated at any ESPNZone by the person who signed up for the card and ID will be required (link)

Visit our Annual Passholders Blockout Dates 2006 page to see more dates. You can see future calendar schedules at Disneyland. As always, specifics are subject to change without notice (or occasionally, without us noticing) so when information conflicts between what is presented here and that presented by Disney, it is best to assume Disney's information is correct.

Entertainment schedule: Go directly to the Disneyland Resort schedule for this week at Disneyland.com here.

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MousePlanet is not associated in any official way with the Walt Disney Company, its subsidiaries. or its affiliates. The official Disney site is available at www.disney.com. This MousePlanet Web site provides independent news articles, commentary, editorials, reviews. and guides about the Walt Disney Co. All information on this site is subject to change. Please contact destinations in advance to confirm the most up-to-date information.